Queues snaked around the car park when a new Aldi supermarket was opened by an Olympic medallist.

The firm opened its new Northern Quarter store at Southwater in Telford yesterday, with bronze medal winning gymnast Sam Oldham cutting the ribbon.

The 19,500 square foot development created 36 jobs, with 18 new roles and 18 moved from other stores.

The jobs that were taken from the other stores have been filled.

Shropshire's area manager for Aldi, Bethan Rushton, said: "This is the first Aldi of its kind, and this is what Aldi's will look like going forward. It's fantastic, the presentation has really been good.

The opening of the new store

"It is great to see people have come out and it's been positive, even with the rain and with England being out of the football. We have had some great feedback so far."

Some of the prospective shoppers to join the queue were Thomas Telford School pupils Madlyn Debrah and Sachi McKoy.

The 14-year-olds, whose families both shop at Aldi, had a quick look around the store before heading to school.

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Madlyn said: "My mum has lots of kids and she shops at Aldi a lot. We just thought we would come down to check it out as it's something new."

Wendy Boland, of Ketley, joined them in the queue.

She said: "We love Aldi, we go to the one in Madeley. This new one looks like an impressive store. Of course it had to be today that the rain started."

Aldi manager Zoe Heron with Sam Oldham

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Olympic bronze medallist Sam opened the store and later presented an assembly at Hollinswood Primary School. The gymnast spoke to the children there about his experiences and Aldi's partnership with Team GB.

Telford & Wrekin's mayor, Councillor Raj Mehta was also there for the opening.

He said: "I think it's a great new store, and in Telford's 50th year it is fantastic to have more than 30 new jobs here.

"It is a very positive development for Telford and in a state of the art building. Other stores will follow suit here in the Northern Quarter.

The 100,000 square foot Northern Quarter, built on the site of a former Asda store, is nearly at completion. B&M will use one of the units, and the resident of the final remaining store is yet to be determined.